President Lee: Honam Semiconductor Hub Not Preferential Treatment, Urges End to Regional Division

President Lee Jae-myung has defended the government's plan to foster a semiconductor industry ecosystem in the Honam region, asserting it is not preferential treatment but a strategic move for national growth. Speaking at a meeting on fostering innovative companies for future security, Lee emphasized that the initiative is a result of significant government support and corporate decisions to establish a rational semiconductor hub.

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We are creating the most rational semiconductor industry hub through the government's extensive support and the companies' decisions.

"We are creating the most rational semiconductor industry hub through the government's extensive support and the companies' decisions," Lee stated. He further elaborated that the southwestern coastal area of Honam possesses vast, stable land suitable for advanced factories, unlike the saturated Seoul metropolitan area. The region also boasts abundant water resources and significant potential for renewable energy, crucial for meeting RE100 standards and powering energy-intensive industries like semiconductor manufacturing and AI data centers.

Lee urged political circles to engage in thorough debate based on rational grounds but to refrain from inciting regional division or conflict for political gain. He stressed that the Honam region's advantages, including land availability and renewable energy, make it a globally optimal location for future industries. "If the government provides bold and sufficient support for infrastructure such as roads, water, electricity, workforce, culture, education, and housing, Honam will become a world-class semiconductor production hub," he added.

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If the government provides bold and sufficient support for infrastructure such as roads, water, electricity, workforce, culture, education, and housing, Honam will become a world-class semiconductor production hub.

The president called for a halt to divisive political struggles, emphasizing the need for national unity and wisdom to achieve the critical goals of easing concentration in the capital region and promoting balanced national development. This call comes amidst criticism from some political factions, such as the ruling party's spokesperson, who questioned the timing and rationale of the Honam semiconductor investment plan, suggesting it was politically motivated.

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We urge you to refrain from divisive political struggles and to cooperate with a broad perspective and wisdom for the national survival goal of easing concentration in the capital region and balanced national development.